Rating: 
Summary: A Quick and Fun Read
Review: This was my first Julie Garwood experience and I finished her book quite satisfied. I had read such great reviews about her books that I just had to try one out. And I certainly wasn't disappointed.The first thing I noticed about this book was the equal amount of dialogue vs. ongoing thoughts of the characters. It was refreshing to get caught up in a great conversation without endless pages of characters inner thoughts getting in the way. Some authors go on and on with thoughts and leave me wishing the characters would just speak for God's sake. But then some books have so much dialogue with no inner thoughts that the characters seem flat or shallow. I was impressed that this book was perfectly proportioned in this area. The romance between Royce and Nicholaa was sweet and tender. She was very touching to read about and watching Royce open his life and his heart to her was captivating. It seemed that even when they had just met, their true love was there just beneath the surface waiting to bloom. I loved the part of the story surrounding Justin. The gruff tenderness between he and Royce was a joy to see. I loved watching Justin grow as a person and a soldier. And I would very much love to see a sequel with his story. It would be great to incorporate that with a conclusion to Thurston's story also. I was left hanging there and wondering what would come of it. The reason this is a 4 star read for me and not a 5? I cried over Ulric and have simply not accepted Royce's decision concerning him. That really bothered me and I wish Nicholaa had shown more emotion. It only seemed to bother her for one night and then she was back to normal. Somehow that didn't seem realistic after how close she had been to him. I'm hoping a sequel will perhaps include a change there. All in all, its worth a read. I really did enjoy it and am anxious to read more works by Julie Garwood.
Rating: 
Summary: Definitely NOT Garwood's best.....
Review: "The Prize" was a horrible example of what I've come to expect from Julie Garwood. Usually, I can pick up a book written by Ms. Garwood without a second thought...that is how consistently wonderful she is...well..... "The Prize" left me cold. I have never read a book with characters as flat in my life....If this is your first Garwood experience, and you didn't like it...please give another one of her books a try..."Honor's Spendour", "Saving Grace", and "The Bride", for example.....now those are GREAT books and properly show off Ms. Garwood's true talent to tell a story.
Rating: 
Summary: A strong woman character
Review: I loved this book. I like to see women that are strong characters. In this story a Saxon woman is one of the last left to protect her keep. She does this with a vengance and even turns away 3 of the attaching armies. It is the 4th with the determined Normand warrior. Who we find through the book has a huge heart to go with his huge size. He tries to mold her but in the end he ends up doing just as much molding. I love to see stories where the woman is not the only one who changes. Also there is the struggle of families and you get to see one of the ways that a handicapped person might have overcome their handicaps in that time.
Rating:
Summary: garwood fan - disappointed this time
Review: I've loved many of Julie Garwood's novels in the past, but I found this one lacking. I didn't like the main character Royce. He seems to be telling Nicholaa what to do all the time and demanding her to obey. As for Nicholaa, she shows some spirit in the beginning of the novel, but she quickly bends to Royce and tries to make his life "peaceful". There was none of the great back and forth between the characters that Garwood's other novels contain. Royce seems to have well thought out wonderful reasons for all his commands and Nicholaa looks like a fool. My suggestion is to skip this book and read Ransom.
Rating: 
Summary: A good tale
Review: When young maiden Saxon, Nicholaa, defended her homeland against Norman invaders (with a slingshot and arrows) she becomes a legend among the Norman people and is sung about by a herald. When Royce, the proud, gentle, and yet stubborn Norman Baron comes to claim Nicholaa for his King, William the Conqueror, (who wished to give Nicholaa to his worthy Barons as a "Prize" along with her homeland) he is astonished and bewilderingly attracted to Nicholaa's and her wild pagan spirit and remarkable appearance. Nicholaa defies Royce at every turn finding her self more indebted to him as her journey progresses. In the London court the tides are turned when Nicholaa's selfless deed is declared a true hero's event and she is granted permission to choose her own husband. This story was well told but I had a hard time swallowing Nicholaa giving in to Royce when he demands her near servitude demenor. I think that in today's society it is so hard to make a connection with that kind of story for even when she rebelled it was frustrating when Royce came back acting like a jerk. I just wanted to poke my head in the book and stick my tongue at him while sweetly giving him the finger. He did turn around a far cry later than I'd hoped he would have. I did like the book as the story progressed but I wouldn't rate it as a second read.
Rating:
Summary: One of Garwood's best
Review: Julie Garwood is a master romance writer, and "The Prize" is one of her best. The lead characters are classic Garwood - a brave, naive heroine and a strong, patient hero. The genius of Garwood is that her heroines can be kind of flighty and ditzy and still be charming rather than annoying. Here, Garwood does a wonderful job of blending her plot in with the Norman invasion of England and the subsequent relationship between the Normans and the Saxons. The contest of wills between Niccola and Royce is hysterical - you will particularly enjoy Niccola's plot to confess all her wrongdoings.
Rating:
Summary: Witty as Usual
Review: A classic Garwood. Nicholoa is one heroine that you adore from the beginning she is witty, beautiful and loyal. Royce is suitable as her champion. Next to "The Secret" this is one of my favorite "Garwoods" The story line starts off with a surprise and keeps you enthralled from then on. Again, I cannot reiterate enough that it is best to read her books in the order of which they came out so that you can see her growth as a writer. A lot of authors since have tried to duplicate "Garwood's" style but she still is the original. Think of 2 worthy opponents that are attracted to one another and throw in that one is sneaky and usually trying to get away with something and you have come up with Nicholoa, Royce shows great patience with her all the while. A must read if you want to get the best of Julie Garwood. Happy Reading
Rating:
Summary: Silly!
Review: Judging by the other reviews in this site, it seems I am the only one who didn't like this book. I think it is the most insubstantial and fluffiest romance I have ever read. There was no real story line and throughout the book, the lead characters either kept scowling, grinning, shouting or being plain angry.
The language was so stilted that it took me 3 days to finish this one!There was no character development and I found everyone in this book getting on my nerves.
Rating:
Summary: "The Prize" - Great story!
Review: Loved it! As a fan of Ms. Garwood's, this book was as good as the others! Nicholaa, the Saxon vixen, is headstrong, brave, and a true heroine. Will Nicholaa succumb to the Norman, Royce as a winning favor or will Nicholaa become Royce's treasured, precious "prize?" There's action, intrigue, and romance combined. The effects are sensational. There is never a dull moment when Nicholaa and Royce are together. The courageous, brave warrior Royce may be tough on the outside, but when it comes to Nicholaa, he soon becomes as gentle as a lamb. "The Prize" is truly worth reading and Nicholaa proved she was a worthy recipient and had chosen her prize wisely with her selection of the noble Norman, Royce, a valiant warrior, a fierce protector, and a gentle lover. Again, I loved it and could not put it down until I was finished reading it. Great action and romance.
Rating:
Summary: NOT WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN
Review: The plot was good, the romance sweet, but the dialogue seemed weak. Every other sentence ended with the word "too" and much of the novel reminded me alot of Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught. This story could definity use improvement.
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